Gov. DeSantis blames feds for lack of assistance in Lee, Charlotte tornado recovery

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced plans to appeal FEMA’s decision to deny funding for victims of last month’s tornadoes that swept through Southwest Florida.

DeSantis made the announcement from Iona, one of the sites affected by the tornado. He was flanked by the Lee County commissioners and law enforcement, among others. He spoke from Century 21 Mobile Home Community, one of the communities hit by one of six tornadoes that struck on Jan. 16.

On Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the request from Florida for individual assistance for those in Lee and Charlotte counties.

In its letter in response to the request for funds, FEMA said the event was not of such severity and magnitude to be “beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”

FEMA agents look at several factors when deciding something is or isn’t a disaster.

They take into account the state’s financial capacity and resource availability in addition to the number of deaths and if anyone lost their job.

“It’s our view and the state of Florida that we need to remain committed to helping the people of Lee and Charlotte counties,” DeSantis said. “I’ve directed our Department of Emergency Management to immediately appeal this decision.”

DeSantis spoke from a podium with a sign that read “relief now,” but made it clear it is not his responsibility.

DeSantis said 158 homes were either destroyed or sustained damage.

“This is disproportionately what people would consider a vulnerable population,” DeSantis said, referring to the 55+ community.

“People are still trying to find stable housing,” he said. “It’s not that easy to just pick up and move in a new home, particularly in the state of Florida.”

When WINK News asked DeSantis why he had not committed funds to the recovery, he responded: “It’s kind of all above board, and that’s what states have relied on for years and years and years. and so that is, I think that is the best way to be able to get these folks relief.”

DeSantis said he would look at avenues the state can take to help those affected, but did not specify what those avenues would be.

He moved to other questions without answering the question.

Florida Department of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said about 84 percent of the people affected are living on a fixed income.

“This is Lee County and Charlotte County’s most vulnerable populations,” Guthrie said. “We will continue to support anyone that is here.”

DeSantis placed the blame on politics.

“These things should be above politics when people have needs like this,” DeSantis said. “Whatever they can do to thumb their nose at Florida they seem to do it.”

DeSantis said he thinks it is a mistake “to use politics with this.”

“I think you got to help people when they need it,” he said.